MICROWAVE ASSISTED ISOLATION OF MUCILAGE FROM THE FRUITS OF ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS

A microwave assisted extraction technique was developed to optimize the extraction of mucilage from the fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus plant. The plant has been extracted by conventional and microwave assisted methods for the isolation of mucilage. Microwave extraction at 160 W intensity and 40 min heating duration increase 11.55% in the yield of mucilage when compared to 1 h conventional heating method. The products obtained by both the methods were of similar nature chemically. The developed microwave procedure can be used successfully in commercial and routine laboratory isolation of mucilage.